India’s weightlifting campaign at the Asian Games 2026 received a major boost as star lifter Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan.
Chanu lifted a combined 198kg, including 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean & jerk, to secure her first-ever Asian Games medal. Her achievement also ended India’s long wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver for India
The women’s 49kg final took place on September 23, 2026, in Nagoya, Japan. Chanu produced a strong performance throughout the competition and finished second behind North Korea’s Ri Song Gum.
Chanu successfully lifted 83kg, 85kg and 87kg in her three snatch attempts. She then recorded 111kg as her best clean & jerk lift.
Her final total of 198kg was enough to secure the silver medal.
Asian Games 2026 Women’s 49kg Weightlifting Results
| Rank | Weightlifter | Country | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Ri Song Gum | North Korea | 215kg |
| 🥈 2nd | Mirabai Chanu | India | 198kg |
| 🥉 3rd | Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana | Indonesia | 191kg |
Ri Song Gum won gold with 215kg, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took bronze with 191kg.
India’s 28-Year Weightlifting Wait Ends
Mirabai Chanu’s silver is particularly important for Indian weightlifting because it ended a 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
Before Chanu’s achievement, Karnam Malleswari was the last Indian weightlifter to win an Asian Games medal. Malleswari won silver at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
Chanu has now brought India back onto the Asian Games weightlifting podium.
Mirabai Chanu’s Asian Games Journey
The Asian Games medal had been one of the few major achievements missing from Chanu’s career.
At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, she finished ninth.
She could not compete at the 2018 Asian Games because of injury.
At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, Chanu came close to winning a medal but finished fourth after an injury affected her competition.
Three years later, she returned to the Asian Games and finally secured the silver medal she had been chasing.
Mirabai Chanu’s 2026 Asian Games Performance
Chanu’s performance in Nagoya was consistent from the beginning.
In the snatch, she opened with 83kg and then successfully lifted 85kg and 87kg.
In the clean & jerk, she successfully lifted 111kg, giving her a combined total of 198kg.
Mirabai Chanu Final Lifts
- Category: Women’s 49kg
- Snatch: 87kg
- Clean & Jerk: 111kg
- Total: 198kg
- Medal: Silver 🥈
- Country: India
- Competition: Asian Games 2026
- Location: Nagoya, Japan
The Manipur Police also confirmed the 198kg total, listing 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean & jerk.
A Complete Medal Collection
With the Asian Games silver, Mirabai Chanu has now added another major international medal to an already successful career.
Her major achievements include an Olympic silver medal, World Championship medals, Commonwealth Games titles and Asian Championship honours.
The Asian Games medal was the major continental medal that had previously been missing from her collection.
Her latest achievement therefore represents more than just another medal. It completes an important part of her international weightlifting résumé.
Mirabai Chanu’s Reaction After Winning Silver
After winning the medal, Chanu expressed happiness and pride over finally achieving her long-standing Asian Games goal.
She said that she had been waiting for the moment for many years and described the medal as a dream coming true.
Her result also received congratulations from Indian officials and sporting organisations following her podium finish.
What the Result Means for Indian Weightlifting
Mirabai Chanu’s silver provides an important milestone for Indian weightlifting.
For almost three decades, India had not won a weightlifting medal at the Asian Games. Chanu’s performance in Nagoya ended that wait.
It also gives a new highlight to India’s weightlifting campaign at the 2026 Asian Games and adds another major international achievement to Chanu’s career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the silver medal in Indian weightlifting at Asian Games 2026?
Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event.
How much did Mirabai Chanu lift at Asian Games 2026?
Mirabai Chanu recorded a 198kg total, with 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean & jerk.
Which medal did Mirabai Chanu win at the 2026 Asian Games?
She won the silver medal in the women’s 49kg category.
Who won gold in the women’s 49kg weightlifting event?
North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won gold with a total of 215kg.
When did India last win an Asian Games weightlifting medal before Mirabai Chanu?
India’s previous Asian Games weightlifting medal came in 1998, when Karnam Malleswari won silver.
Final Takeaway
India Weightlifting at Asian Games 2026 received a historic moment through Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal.
Her 198kg total in the women’s 49kg event not only gave India a place on the weightlifting podium but also ended the country’s 28-year wait for an Asian Games weightlifting medal.
For Chanu personally, the silver completed a major gap in her medal collection and marked her first Asian Games medal after previous setbacks in 2014, 2018 and 2023.
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